Stay safe + have fun on Alabama beaches this summer—what you need to know

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Hot summer temperatures in Alabama call for beach vacations. But what do you do if bad weather or rip tides make the beautiful Gulf waters too dangerous?

Keep reading for a few tips to keep you safe on Alabama’s beaches and lakes.

Keep up with local swim guides

My favorite way to spend a 90-degree summer day in Alabama? Go swimming.

Whether I’m at a friend’s pool, riding a boat on Lake Martin or floating down the Cahaba River, I love to be in the water.

To stay safe in our state’s beautiful lakes and rivers, it’s helpful to reference local swim guides.

• The Coosa Riverkeeper’s swim guide answers the question “Is it safe to swim?” with weekly updates on some of Alabama’s most popular waterways.
• Cahaba Riverkeeper also has a swim guide to keep Cahaba swimmers safe.
• Lake Watch of Lake Martin monitors the water quality of Lake Martin.

Know what beach warning flags mean

Anyone who’s spent any time at the beach knows the warning flags all too well.

Alabama uses a color-coded warning flag system to give beachgoers an idea of water conditions before hitting the sand. 

Here’s what each flag means: 

• Yellow: Moderate surf + currents—exercise normal caution
• Purple: dangerous marine life in water (jellyfish, Man O’ Wars, sharks, etc.)
• Red: high surf + strong currents—only strong swimmers should be in the water
• Double Red: Gulf is CLOSED—no swimmers allowed in water

Flags are posted at most beach access points and lifeguard towers. Swimming in the Gulf during double red flags can result in a $500 fine and/or jail time.

For alerts on surf condition changes, text: “ALBEACHES” to 888.777.

Fun fact: House Bill 437 was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey in May 2025. This bill, also known as Lulu’s Law, will send shark alerts to mobile cellular devices on beaches and shorelines in Baldwin and Mobile counties and to first responders on duty.

Lulu’s Law was created in honor of Mountain Brook native Lulu Gribbin, who survived a shark attack in Gulf Shores last summer.

Have fun AND stay safe in Alabama this summer

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL) still advises to get out and about this summer in Alabama. It’s a great time to be active, so don’t let the heat scare you!

Between the sandy white beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and the glistening water of Alabama lakes and rivers, there’s plenty of ways to have fun and stay safe this summer.

Check out a few more tips to beat the heat.

There are plenty of ways to stay safe at the beach. What’s your favorite?

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